Wander To Mauritania

Jan 15

Highlights: Arrival in Mauritania, welcome dinner

Included: Dinner

Upon arrival at the Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport, you will be met by our personal driver and transferred to our hotel in the city center. In the afternoon we'll all gather for an orientation meeting before sitting down for our welcome dinner. → Overnight in a 4* hotel (private bathrooms and hot water)

Jan 16

Highlights: Full tour of Nouakchott

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We’ll begin our journey with a full guided tour of Nouakchott, where we’ll visit the business district, see the city's main mosque, and experience the energy of the lively fish market, where colorful boats bring in the day’s catch. For lunch we’ll enjoy Yassa, a popular West African dish made with marinated chicken or fish, cooked in a rich sauce of caramelized onions, mustard, garlic, and citrus, served with rice. In the afternoon we’ll visit one of the largest camel markets in the world (a sight that needs to be seen to be believed!), where traders gather from across the region to buy and sell these prized animals. After returning to the hotel for a short break, we’ll head to Jreida Beach to catch the sunset over the vast, empty sands. We'll head out for a dinner nearby before an early sleep, getting ready for our drive into the desert the next morning. → Overnight in a 4* hotel (private bathrooms and hot water)

Jan 17

Highlights: Arrival in the Sahara Desert, Azouega Dunes

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Departing from Nouakchott early in the morning we’ll begin our journey east, leaving the city behind as we make our way toward the Sahara. The drive will take approximately 5–6 hours, passing through small towns and villages that offer a glimpse into daily life in Mauritania. Part of the journey will be on paved roads, while the rest will take us directly across the open desert. We’ll stop in the town of Akjoujt for lunch and to gather any last supplies before continuing into the dunes. From here the landscape shifts dramatically as we enter the vast Sahara, making our way to the stunning Azoueiga Dunes, the tallest in Mauritania. Upon arrival we’ll settle into our pre-set canvas tents before heading out to explore the golden sand dunes around us. As evening approaches, we’ll climb the highest dune to watch the sun set over the endless desert, taking in the silence and vastness of this remote setting. Our guides will prepare dinner over the campfire, and we’ll spend the night under the stars in this breathtaking location. → Overnight camping

Jan 18

Highlights: Surreal nature, Terjit Oasis

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we’ll head out on a scenic morning walk along the base of the dunes before getting into our vehicles. From here we’ll follow a rugged and rarely traveled route that winds through the rocky desert, climbing over plateaus and offering sweeping views of dunes, mountains, canyons, and valleys along the way. The journey will take about 3.5 hours, with a stop for lunch halfway, before we arrive at our first oasis settlement—the Terjit Oasis. This peaceful spot is surrounded by incredible desert landscapes, and the oasis itself, with its flowing springs, waterfalls, palm groves, and towering cliffs, looks like something out of a movie. We’ll have time to explore, enjoy the scenery, cool off in the water, and relax at our simple but comfortable campsite set in a quiet garden. → Overnight camping (with shared toilets and cold water showers)

Jan 19

Highlights: Mheireth Oasis, local village walk

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a relaxed morning we’ll embark on a 2-hour drive to Mheireth Oasis, one of the largest and most scenic oases in the region. Once we arrive we’ll enjoy a picnic by the riverbed before taking a short walk to reach the heart of the oasis. We’ll have about an hour to take in the landscape, with rocky hills, sand dunes, palm groves, and a clear oasis lake. Those who want can take a refreshing dip in the cool water. From there we’ll continue into Mheireth village and check into our camp. Later in the afternoon we’ll take a guided walk through the village, stopping at small markets and shops, meeting locals, and getting a glimpse of daily life. We’ll end the day with dinner back at camp, surrounded by the quiet desert setting. → Overnight camping (with shared toilets and cold water showers)

Jan 20

Highlights: Chinguetti, Amazigh caves, amazing desert

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we’ll continue across the Sahara, following faint tracks in the sand as we make our way to the medieval village of Chinguetti, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient Islamic libraries. Along the way we’ll stop to explore Amazigh caves, where centuries-old rock paintings will give us a glimpse into the region’s past. Upon arriving in Chinguetti, we’ll check into our guesthouse before taking a walk through the old town, where stone alleyways and weathered buildings tell the story of a once-thriving center of trade and scholarship. We’ll visit one of the historic libraries, where caretakers will share the history of the rare manuscripts that have been preserved for generations. As the sun begins to set, we’ll drive to the highest dune in the area to take in the view before returning for a home-cooked dinner at our guesthouse. → Overnight in a guesthouse (with private bathrooms and hot water)

Jan 21

Highlights: Meeting villagers in Tenewchert Oasis, Oudane

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As we drive today, we'll watching the landscapes shift from rolling dunes to rocky plateaus as we make our way to the small and remote Tenewchert Oasis. We’ll stop briefly to meet some of the villagers who call this isolated community home, gaining insight into their way of life in one of the country’s most secluded areas. From there we’ll push on through a striking mix of white, red, and orange dunes before arriving in Oudane, a historic caravan town that has stood on the edge of the Adrar Plateau for nearly 900 years. After checking into our guesthouse, we’ll take a short drive into the desert to watch the sunset over the landscape before returning for a relaxed evening. → Overnight in a guesthouse (with private bathrooms and hot water)

Jan 22

Highlights: Richat Structure, Oudane's ancient city

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we’ll climb into our SUVs for a 1-hour drive to one of the world’s most fascinating geological formations. In the heart of the Sahara Desert lies the Richat Structure, also known as the Eye of the Sahara. Spanning 25 miles in diameter, this massive series of concentric rock rings has puzzled scientists for years. Some theories suggest it was formed by a meteor impact or even link it to the lost city of Atlantis, though the most accepted explanation is that it’s an eroded volcanic dome. As we drive across the formation, we’ll reach its inner core, where you’ll have the chance to step out and take in the surreal landscape up close. On the way back to Oudane we’ll stop for a picnic lunch and take time to admire other viewpoints in the area. In the afternoon we’ll explore the historic heart of Oudane, walking through its centuries-old alleys, past mosques and crumbling stone homes, uncovering the stories of this once-thriving trading center. The rest of the evening will be yours to relax at the guesthouse before we continue our journey the next morning. → Overnight in a guesthouse (with private bathrooms and hot water)

Jan 23

Highlights: Adrar canyons, local market in Atar

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving Oudane behind, we’ll drive through the rocky canyons of the Adrar Plateau, making our way back toward the open desert. Along the way we’ll stop at several scenic points to take in the wide landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see. We’ll break for lunch before continuing to Atar, the largest town in the region and an important trade center. After checking into our hotel, we’ll visit Atar’s main market, a bustling place where vendors sell everything, from fresh produce and baked goods to spices, textiles, and handmade crafts. We'll end the day with dinner back at our hotel, getting some rest before the next day. → Overnight in a hotel (with private bathrooms and hot water)

Jan 24

Highlights: Ben Amera monolith, Choum Tunnel, Iron Ore Train

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we’ll begin our journey north toward the remote village of Choum, making a brief stop to get a glimpse of life in this small desert settlement. From there we’ll continue to the Choum Tunnel, a railway tunnel built by the French that has since been criticized as a poorly planned colonial project. We’ll learn about the history of its construction and why it’s often referred to as a "monument to European stupidity in Africa." We'll then continue on a 2-hour drive to the Ben Amera Monolith, the second-largest monolith in the world, standing at an impressive 2,000 feet. We’ll take time to explore the area, go for a short walk around the base, and enjoy lunch. We’ll continue another two hours to the village of Tmeimichat, where we’ll arrive at the loading station for the legendary Iron Ore Train. This massive freight train, stretching up to two miles long, transports iron from the mines of Zouérat to the coastal port of Nouadhibou. As the only train passing through this isolated region, it offers a truly unique travel experience for those willing to take the journey. The overnight ride to Nouadhibou takes approximately 10 hours and there are no passenger cars. You climb up a ladder on the side of a wagon, place a blanket on top of the iron ore and sit on top of the car for the duration of the wild trip! **IMPORTANT: This overnight train trip is OPTIONAL. For those who do not wish to ride on the train, we will camp in the desert near the village and continue our drive to Nouadhibou the next day. → Overnight on the Iron Ore Train or camping

Jan 25

Highlights: Nouadhibou

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Those who took the train and those who didn’t will all reunite in Mauritania's second largest city and enjoy a leisurely day in this relaxed port town. For those interested, you can explore the market, fishing area and laid-back neighborhoods. After a relaxing afternoon of rest, we’ll gather in the evening for dinner at an unexpected restaurant, and then head back to the hotel for a well-deserved sleep. → Overnight in a 3* hotel (with private bathrooms and hot water)

Jan 26

Highlights: Banc d'Arguin National Park

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we’ll leave the peninsula of Nouadhibou behind and head south to the Banc d’Arguin National Park, a protected coastal reserve where the desert meets the Atlantic Ocean. The landscape here is unlike any other we’ve seen so far, with stretches of sand dunes and scattered islands creating a unique environment. Upon arrival we’ll settle into our remote coastal campsite, a beautiful spot with incredible ocean views. In the late afternoon we’ll take a short walk along the cliffs, where we’ll watch the sun set over the Atlantic. As night falls, we’ll return to camp for dinner, followed by a relaxing evening around the campfire, with nothing but the sound of waves and a sky full of stars above us. → Overnight in large canvas tents (with shared bathrooms available)

Jan 27

Highlights: Beaches, return to Nouakchott

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we’ll continue our journey south, making our way to the small fishing village of Lemhaisrat. This quiet, off-the-beaten-path village offers a glimpse into the traditional fishing lifestyle, where wooden boats line the shore and fishermen haul in their daily catch. From here we’ll follow the coastline until we reach our final lunch spot, a peaceful stretch of beach where the dunes of the Sahara meet the Atlantic Ocean. We’ll take our time to enjoy the setting, soaking in the last moments of Mauritania’s wild landscapes. In the afternoon we’ll continue our drive back to Nouakchott, arriving after about two hours and checking into our hotel. There will be some free time to relax before we gather for our farewell dinner, reflecting on the amazing experiences, landscapes, and cultures we’ve encountered on this one-of-a-kind adventure. → Overnight in a 4* hotel (with private bathrooms and hot water)

Jan 28

Highlights: Departure day

Included: Breakfast

You will be picked up at the hotel by our private driver and transferred to the airport in time for your departing flight.